Opening day protest to ‘welcome’ ‘anti-blogger’ high school principal

June 13, 2010

Students, faculty, and alumni of the Quezon City Science High School (QCSHS) are set to hold a protest tomorrow against the return of a former principal.

The principal, Zenaida Sadsad, suspended four QCSHS students last year after the latter criticized her in their internet blogs. She was then removed from her position due to the public uproar against the suspensions. However, she was reinstated as the head of the same school several weeks ago.

Anakbayan national vice-chairperson and QCSHS alumnus Anton Dulce slammed the reappointment of Sadsad, saying she is ‘very much’ unfit for the position.

“If she was a student, she would flunk first year Social Studies. She is clearly ignorant of the Constitution, specifically, the right to freedom of expression. There is no way she is qualified to even teach, much less be a principal” he said.

According to him, the reinstatement is a bad example to the youth, especially to the school’s students.

“This sends the message that its ok for leaders to be human rights violators. She steps on the students’ freedom of expression, and instead of being punished, is rewarded by being allowed to return to her old post. It’s like allowing Jovito Palparan to head the AFP, or the Ampatuans to rule Maguindanao again” said Dulce.

He added that the suspensions are only the ‘tip of the iceberg’.

“There are many allegations of corruption against her, as well as a wide range of complaints from current and former QCSHS students who were under her regime. But she has successfully intimidated students and teachers from even just speaking out against her” said the youth leader.

He also criticized the Department of Education for claiming that Sadsad would not be allowed to reclaim her old post in a dialogue with students, faculty, and alumni.

Last May 17, concerned alumni, students, and faculty trooped to the DepEd’s Division Office in Quezon City for a dialogue regarding the return of Sadsad. According to DepEd official Dr. Cacanindin, there was “no truth” to the then-circulating rumors of the reinstatement.

“Ang magnanakaw ay kapatid ng sinungaling. If the corruption allegations against Sadsad are true, then we shouldn’t wonder why they lied to us about her return. They probably take a cut from whatever funds have been messed around with” he said.